The Grenada gazette., 1887-11-05
REPTILES WORTH EATING.
Fseding and Marketing Terrapin In the
Old Days aud Now.

Fseding and Marketing Torrapin In the
Old Days sud Now.
New Yorkers who were OF the rising
generation thirty years ago may recall
the story told of an Anne Arundel
County man in Maryland whose slaves
rebeled because he fed them on terra.
pin instead Of pork and ham. Della
wares big statesman, old John NJ
Clayton. once bought an ox-cart load
Of the palatable reptiles for 81. They
may also have been told that Lafay ette,
CORVALLIS and Washington helped to
soften the asperities of Yorktown by
dishes Of terrapin. but for all that, the
use of terrapin as a food is Of compar-
atively recent date. The gastronomic
excellence Of the reptile was almost
unknown as late as 1845. Now it is
said that nearly a million of them are
sent to market every season. IL fact
one Of the foremost industries Of
the Chesapeake region is terrapin
farming. and out Of that bay and the
waters tributary to it no less than
g. 000 900 worth are taken every year.
That the little reptile could be bought
in ye olden tyne for = shilling may
perhaps be true, but it is equally true
that the present price is $50 dozen.
Orders for them in quantities come
from all over the world. Regular
shipments are made to England and
France as well as to Germany and
Russia, and an Annapolis firm Is cred.
ited with sending them even to China
and Japan.
Though plenty, it is probable the
high price Of terrapin is due as much
to the care and experience necessary
to catch them as the demand that there
is for them. They feed chiefly on
water-cress and roost in great numbers
In coves and other spots where this
grass abounds. The creature is re.
markable for its torpidity and yet
withal 1t is one of the most elusive
known. The hunters for terrapin need
to be adroit and quick. Curiosity is
the terrapin's greatest weakness. and
If they can be aroused sufficiently to
make them come to the surface of the
water to find out what all the trouble
Is about their capture becomes merely
a question of skill. They are caught
after the manner employed in crab
bing. except no bait is used. The
hunter usually raps sharply on the
side Of his boat to attract the attention
of his prey. and when the terrapin
comes to the surface cleverly-handled
net scoops them into the boat.
As to the best terrapin for eating,
opinions differ. The most accented
one. however; is that those about six
inches long are.the best. The very large
terrapin are coarse. besides which they
are generally expensive. Oflate years
terrapin farms have been increasing in
New Jersey and Delaware,
and yet it is said that the industry is
not the success it might be-
President Cleveland is a great love,
W 'oAA"P'ns aieuOuSH Mis- OIeVelanu,
50 it is said, has had considerable
trouble trying to learn to eat them.
From among the first received during
the season goodly supply is general
" selected by q Baltimore firm and
sent at once to the White House.
There they are prepared according to
the famous recipe of Sam Ward that
made. in years gone, the Prince OF
Wales a devoted lover and Judge Of
the little Chesapeake reptiles. They
are served hot and their way is m
sure by numerous sips Of good dry
fizz.
To see a person attack dish Of ter
rapin for the first time is said to be an
interesting study. The idea that they
are about to partake Of boiled fish.
worms seems to be the first that strikes
hem. Then. aftor much persuasion.
hey -taste. One taste is generally
snough-not to sicken them. but to
make them patrons and lovers of as
dne fish as ever came from.the hands